Antivirus Poll - 2014 (January - June)

Just got a Asus Chromebook and you can't put an AV on them - so, not running any AV.

 

There is always a way around. Install Linux then Windows in Virtualbox and then run an AV. You will be the most dedicated AV user in here!

 

I just voted for MSE. I haven't used an antivirus for over three years but if I was to use one, MSE would be it. When a friend listens to me about Sandboxie and decides to use it, I install MSE, regardless of the AV that they are using. None of this friend, who are totally clueless about security (as I was a little over 5 years ago) but now know about SBIE and more importantly, now realize the value of using SBIE "all the time", get infected anymore.

And MSE is part of the reason for that result. So Daman1, MSE might look bad in tests like the one you linked but in the real world, as far as I can see and tell, MSE has done well for the people that I know.

Bo

 

But you are wrong. MSE doesn't look bad on tests. Sure it doesn't get 99% but it gets 91%. It's a perfect AV for Sandboxie, perfect AV for MBAM Pro, perfect AV for Outpost FW and other third party security solutions.

 

And that's the problem. 91% is not good enough for most people. They want to see something like 99.98% detection rate. Even if anything above 90% of detection rate is enough in most real-life scenarios, people are still not happy. They want a flawless fortress, which doesn't exist.

 

Exactly but it also depends how you are running your set up. I like running AV only set ups and for me MSE was simply not enough because it was poor in blocking adware and other stuff. But other paid AVs also had that issue. In those cases yeah, I can understand how someone is disappointed and doesn't bother. But if I was running MBAM realtime or a FW or SBIE or even K9 web protection then there is no need for having anything more than 90%. Because MSE is not your first line of defense. As a matter of fact running anything than MSE with a third party FW and other security solutions can be a real headache.

 

I think it's because adware is quite controversial by itself. Heck even some AVs act like adware. The top 2 adware detectors are MBAM and ESET. Although I have no idea of how good EAM's PUPs detection capability. But most AVs, be it paid or free solutions, are still not as good as MBAM and ESET when we're talking about PUPs even till this date.

To back on topic, even if I defend MSE I won't pick it if I was running an AV myself. I've already spammed it in this forum about how MSE froze and crashed Windows Explorer and MMC. I have never had that experience with other AVs, but other AVs had their own problems.

 

In most test, MSE is usually not on top. But let me tell you a little story. A friend of mine who bought a new computer a few months ago, after I installed Sandboxie in it, he looked at me holding a box of NOD antivirus in his hand (he got it as a gift for purchasing the computer) and asked "What should I do with this?"... I said, "Nothing" and he replied, "I knew you ll say that". I installed MSE like I always do.

Bo

 

Haven't heard of any Chrome OS being infected, and if it does, it's completely self-healing. Thanks for the info.

 

Trying out ESET Smart Security with PUPs and PUAs on. So far, it's extremely light as compared to EAM. Anyways, I've voted for both products.

 

MSE is meant to serve as a baseline, especially for users whom would not be running AV otherwise. It does not aim to compete for best detection rate. They even share the data collected with other AV vendors. This helps to maintain a minimum level of protection across a wide number of users and sustain the diversity the antimalware industry needs. After all, it has been shown from time to time that different AV companies were among the first to detect previously unknown malware...so there is something to be gained.

If one reads the Microsoft Malware Protection Center articles (that ronjor often links to), it is apparent that the team focuses on malware prevalence...meaning to say they prioritize detection of malware families that affect most of their users. Zero-day malware and malware that do not affect the majority are not MSE's strong points. For that, things like SmartScreen (for downloads) and EMET (for exploit mitigation) plays a bigger role.

Use whatever fits your needs.

 

it all depends on the competition. if all the (relevant) competitors are in the 96-99% area, 91% detection is bad. no way to sugar coat it.

 

Better than nothing and it comes pre installed.

 

True but you also have to take into account false positives. If the competition has 5-20 false positives at 99% and you have 0 positives at 91% then you are doing quite well.

 

Long story but to shorten it without going into details, avast! did not like my pop server and the avast! people told me to change it.

I walked away from licenses for 6 computers and am happy I did it.

Thanks to siljaline for steering me to NOD32.

 

Windows, Outpost Security Suite.

Linux, none.

OS X, none.

 

Well there is only one I would ever use now as I smarten up over the years so WSA-C all the way!

Daniel

 

MSE works well for me.

 

I use WSA Complete now, the only one I can imagine needing now after several years trying others.

 

I was using avast! at the time I voted in this poll, but am now testing MSE and will stick with it if it doesn't cause any problems. avast! has become too bloated and behaves too much like adware for my tastes. I don't use torrent sites or perform other risky activities, so I feel that MSE is good enough for me.

 

WSA is here to stay for a long time.

 

MSE is bloatware, it's not light at all ... ESET is light.

Vote for ESET and Panda.

 

This poll is pointless lol

I have been testing suites for years and ESET and Bitdefender (both max settings) always come out on top with the best results.

 

This is not A vs B thread so please avoid doing this. We have been setting up this poll for awhile as a way to determine people's preference on the AV suits. I would like to keep doing this since I believe it's very informative but if you turn it into AvsB Im sure the moderators are going to close it down.

 

No I don't think MSE is bloated, but it may not be as light as others. Though some users say it is light for them, and others the opposite.

See my sig for Heavy vs Bloated